Five new areas have been added to the Pharmacy First scheme, with eligible pharmacies now able to prescribe medications for acne and migraine.

The additions are part of the updated pharmacy contract which comes as the first cohort of pharmacists automatically graduating with an independent prescribing qualification enter the workforce.

NHS England said the move would mean quicker more convenient treatment for patients without having to see their GP.

The new additions to Pharmacy First are low frequency episodic migraine in adults, seasonal allergic rhinitis in children, acute otitis externa in adults, mild to moderate acne in young people and adults and mild skin and soft tissue infections and scabies.

It follows a commitment in the pharmacy The Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) 2026/27 agreement to introduce a national NHS prescribing service from community pharmacy, as an extension of Pharmacy First and the pharmacy contraception service beginning this autumn.

Pharmacies that employ a pharmacist with a prescribing qualification will have to apply to become a ‘prescribing pharmacy’ under the new rules.

Initially it will apply to a small proportion of community pharmacies who will be able to assess patients and provide medicines directly for those conditions covered by the Pharmacy First service.

But once fully rolled out, two to three million consultations for the five conditions could take place each year in community pharmacies, NHS England said.

It added the move would help ease pressure on GPs and A&E departments ahead of what could be another record-breaking winter for the NHS.

Figures show there were more than 77,000 hospital admissions for diseases of the ear, 47,500 linked to migraines, 5,000 for vasomotor and allergic rhinitis, and 681 for scabies in 2024/25.

Since its launch in February 2024, Pharmacy First has delivered 14 million consultations over seven conditions including two million appointments for acute sore throats, and more than 1.7 million for urinary tract infections, NHS data shows.

Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: ‘As the NHS steps up winter preparations, we want to make sure that patients can get as much support as possible in their communities, so they do not have to be admitted to hospital unnecessarily.

‘That’s why participating pharmacies will start offering help for new common conditions such as acne, migraines and ear infections – without needing to get a GP appointment first – so they’re freed up for people who need them most in the colder months.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: ‘People are fed up with the scramble for routine appointments.

‘They want help when they need it, close to home. That’s exactly what this delivers – no more taking time off work or waiting hours to get seen.’

Janet Morrison, chief executive of Community Pharmacy England, said the expanded offering would make better use of pharmacists’ expertise.

‘It also paves the way for pharmacists to be core community clinicians, cementing their role in neighbourhood health services.’

Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said they wanted to see the Government ‘turbo charge’ the role of pharmacies with more prescribing services available as already happens in Scotland.

‘This is a really significant announcement and it is great to see patients being able to be treated for more conditions on their doorstep at their local pharmacy, without having to see a GP.’

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Migraine and acne amid conditions added to Pharmacy First scheme